Bike to Work Day this Wednesday

by nick jurney
the pueblo chieftain

Published: June 22, 2014;Last modified: June 22, 2014 11:30PM

Colorado’s Bike to Work Day is scheduled for Wednesday, and several local spots are encouraging community members to bike to work and other designated locations to receive exercise, free breakfast and other items.

Between 6 and 9 a.m. Wednesday, bikers can receive free breakfast and other items at four stops: Pueblo West Chamber of Commerce at Legacy Bank, Pueblo City-County Health Department, Parkview Medical Center and St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center, with more locations possible.

“Even if you don’t ‘work’ in a traditional way, I challenge you to bicycle to this event,” said Stephanie Chambers, project coordinator and bike and pedestrian coordinator for the city of Pueblo in a press release. “You can always run a quick errand by bike.”

Chambers said there will be extra points awarded for those participating in the National Bike Challenge local drawings for everyone who signs in at one of the breakfast stops during Wednesday’s event, and she encourages all Pueblo area residents to leave their cars at home and participate in the free event.

The event is not only designed to promote the health benefits and practicality of cycling, but also as a way to educate the public about the benefits of bicycling as an important means of transportation that can improve air quality, reduce traffic congestion, conserve energy, save money, and improve community and individual health, Chambers said.

“We hope that every person that rides a bike during this event will be more aware of bicycles when they drive a car, and will be a better and safer driver near bikes and pedestrians in the future,” said Kim Arline, representative of Pueblo Active Community Environments. “This campaign is about increasing the visibility of cyclists and changing the culture of Pueblo to become more bicycle-friendly in many aspects.”

For more information about the event, visit activepueblo.net, or contact Chambers at 553-2345.